Chukotka Moose

Asia

Alces alces buturlini

Other names are Chukchi moose, east Siberian moose and far eastern moose. Called elk (or elch) in Asia and Europe. Subspecific name is for Russian scientist S. A. Buturlin, who first described it in 1934.

DESCRIPTION The largest moose in Asia, with extraordinarily large antlers. Very similar to the giant moose of Alaska. The chromosome number is 70, the same as in other east Asian moose and North American moose.

DISTRIBUTION Northeastern Siberia, from the Alazeya River basin eastward through the Kolyma and Anadyr basins, and southward through the Penzhina basin and Koryak range to Kamchatka. Moose on the Kamchatka Peninsula (which had no moose) were introduced from the Anadyr basin. Some authorities place the moose of the Indigirka River basin in this category, but they are smaller and most likely represent a blend with the Yakut moose.